As the villagers enjoyed their meal, Magnar Sigvald stood and called for everyone's attention. "My friends," he began, "we have gathered here tonight because we have important news to share. Our new friends, Hadrian Peverell and Sirius Black have made us a generous offer." he paused for effect, "They have proposed to embark on a journey to find a new land for our people, where we can thrive and live in peace."
A murmur of surprise and excitement rippled through the gathered crowd. Magnar Sigvald continued, "We, the elder council, have discussed this offer at length and have decided to accept it. We believe that the ancestors have brought Harry and Sirius to us for a reason, and we trust that they will guide us to a better future."
The villagers erupted into cheers and applause, their hope for a better future renewed. Some of the villagers were so happy they could have sworn they were levitating. But that must have been a trick of the light. There was definitely a lot of levity and laughter going around this evening. Marge seemed particularly joyous at the news.
Some of them approached Harry and Sirius, offering their gratitude and well-wishes for the journey ahead.
As they celebrated and continued the feast, Harry and Sirius knew that they were embarking on a journey that would change not only their lives but the lives of the Thenns as well.
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Over the following week, Harry and Sirius worked to prepare for their journey. They didn't need to do much packing of their own, but there was still much they could do to help the Thenns.
The current winter was thankfully coming to an end, which would make travel easier, but no one could say how long they would have until the next winter set in.
With the worsening winters, they knew the Thenns would be in an increasingly vulnerable position, so they set to work finishing what Harry started, fixing up the village and adding improvements where possible.
With Sirius now wielding a replacement wand, the pair focused on reinforcing the wards around the village. They poured their combined magical energies into the ancient protections, strengthening them to keep out the worst of the cold and any potential threats, be they human or not.
Next, they turned their attention to the village's food supply. The elves would be able to supply food directly from the farm trunk, which Harry intended to leave behind for the elves to use. Harry would take some lesser expanded trunks on their journey, still carrying a vast supply of food and other goods, but not requiring ley-line connections.
Just in-case the elves had to leave for whatever reason, Harry and Sirius transfigured small glass houses for the Thenns to grow their own crops in. Although the transfigurations wouldn't last forever, they hoped that the glass houses would remain stable for at least a few years, thanks to the supporting wards.
With the Thenns' food supply secured, Harry helped the elves properly connect the Farm trunk to the local ley line, finally enabling them to get back to full operation. The elves were ecstatic to get back to the work they so loved, whatever that might be.
Harry knew some of them were focused on growing their herds and collections of magical creatures, Others were keenly taking care of the magical plant life. Whilst quite a few of them were tending to mundane crops and cattle.
Some of the elves had even inserted themselves fully into roles within the village. The eldest among them was even invited to join the Thenn council as an envoy of the elves.
Harry even saw one elf happily standing guard at the main gate, dressed in full guards' uniform, dwarfed by his fellow guards. He looked ridiculous in an oversized helmet. Though Harry was pretty sure the elf did that to mess with people, because he knew they were entirely capable of shrinking the uniform.
Harry hadn't really put much thought into the massive advantage the farm trunk was for the Thenns. But he got the message when they marvelled at the tropical fruits Winky supplied for breakfast one morning. Merlin, Harry loved the cheat that was magical self-contained and temperature-controlled environments.
The Thenns were certainly excited when given a tour of the trunk, and were equally curious about the magical creatures, some held in pens, others being held carefully in stasis in vast sheds within the farm trunk.
Harry and Sirius also assisted the elves in constructing a comfortable and functional structure for them to call home next to the trunk and in a prime place in the village so that they could feel more a part of the village itself, and not just visiting guests.
As the day of departure drew near, the village buzzed with anticipation and excitement. The Thenns had grown to respect their powerful wizard allies, and many had connected well with Sirius over the years. They were sad to see them go, but understood both Harry's craving for travel and freedom, along with the opportunity they posed with the chance to find a new, safer home for the Thenn.
With their preparations complete, Harry and Sirius shared a heartfelt farewell with the elves, promising to keep in touch through the communication mirrors Harry had provided. Turning their feet south as they left the village, Harry, Sirius, and Dobby finally set off to explore this new world with a great deal of excitement for what they might find on their journey.
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Chapter 6 Teaser:
...The trio carefully stalked one of the Night's Watch deserters as he stepped away from the main settlement. Seeing their chance Harry swiftly stunned the man and levitated him further out of sight for a hasty interrogation.
A nearby rogue brother of the Watch scratched his head. He'd just come out from pissing behind a tree and he might be a tad drunk, but he could have sworn he'd seen John trip over on flat ground then float away into the forest. That didn't seem normal. He looked down at the mushrooms he'd been out gathering, but none of them looked like those spotty blue ones the others warned him about.
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